Metro East Sports Podcast

This show features three amazing coaches.

Rich Crouthers and his organization, Without Limits, Team Galaxy, provide opportunities for nearly 500 individuals with special needs to play 15 sports! As the founder of the organization, Crouthers details the history of the group, which has gone from a modest group of about 5 athletes to one of the largest groups of its kind in the state!

Next up, Cody Markle "loves the people, the kids, and the town of Alton," and he considers himself "blessed" to have the opportunity to continue as the Head Football Coach. In his second year, Markle details what he likes about his team, and he discusses his positive working relationship with the kids and coaches on his staff.

Completing the show, Dupo Head Football Coach Zach Klaustermeier is back to talk Tiger football. Klaustermeier discusses adjusting to life as a dad, and he shares his thoughts on his team's hot start, which has included two recent close wins.

This episode has WIDE variety of greatness! Beginning with Alton High School Girls Tennis Coach Jesse Macias, who is joined by two of his senior leaders, Lily Schuler and Lauren Massey, the coach talks about the "big win" over Belleville East, the Robert Logan Memorial Tennis Invite, and his hopes for the remainder of the season. Massey talks about playing doubles with her sister, and Schuler describes playing number one singles for the Redbirds.

Next up, Coach Caty Happe's Liberty MS Panthers are on their way to state! Joining her in the studio are stars Haley Huling and Sammie Herbeck. Happe shares insight into coaching middle school and high school softball, and the girls talk about what they love about the sport along with their thoughts on playing for Coach Happe.

Finally, Althoff Football is off to a 4-0 start, and Coach Austin Frazier is back in the studio to talk about the team's success! He is joined by three of the area's best football players--Jason Dowell, Charleston Coldon, and Dierre Hill--all three have accepted d1 offers to play at Mizzou, Boston College, and Oregon. The boys talk about their roles on their undefeated teams, and Coach Frazier discusses coaching his talent-rich squad.

This show kicks off with NEW presenting sponsor Debbie Njai of Little Caesar's Pizza! Njai talks about her journey as a young, female entrepreneur, and her effort in founding "Black People Who Hike," which is creating opportunities world-wide. She also discusses the importance of "giving back," and she talks about opportunities for people looking for a job and coaches who want to raise some funds!

Next up, Highland HS XC Coach Joe Shannon is back with two of his star runners, Payton Frey and Christian Knobloch. Shannon discusses the competition in the MVC this season and what he likes about his team. The kids share their training regiment including sleeping and eating habits along with what they love about the sport.

Finally, Madison HS Head Football Coach Tavares Young is back with two of his gridiron stars, Darrius Williams and Kyron Trammel. Young shares the good news regarding facilities upgrades for the Trojans, and the boys talk about what they expect for the rest of their season seasons in football, basketball and track.

This show kicks off with Chicago tennis coach Brian Ostrander, who recently brought his team to the Heather Bradshaw Invitational hosted by Edwardsville High School. Ostrander give his perspective on the metro east, and shares his person tennis story, which has included 31 years as a high school tennis coach in Illinois. He leaves with sage advice on what he loves about the game and the experiences he's had.

Next up, Dr. Arthur Langston stops by to present the lates Integrity Spine and Joint Center Team of the Month, the Triad Girls Volleyball Team, which is represented in the studio by Coach Jami Parker and her daughter Grace, a sophomore outside hitter, who leads the STL-area in "serve percentage" and is yet to miss a serve this season. Coach Jami discusses how she has changed in her 23 years of coaching, and Grace talks about her busy sports schedule and playing for her mom.

This show features two outstanding individuals in the Metro East : Mascoutah HS Athletic Director Scott Battas and Alton High School golfer/bowler Sam Ottwell.

Battas begins the show bringing the energy from his town and school. He explains what makes Mascoutah "different," and he shares his vision for the school and the community as "a place that people want to live." Battas also outlines the incredible projects that he has taken on in the past, and he shares a few of the things he plans to develop in the future. He and Dave also discuss what it takes to be "extraordinary."

Our second guest is Alton Redbird two-sport standout Sam Ottwell, one of the area's best golfers and bowlers. Ottwell describes his expectations going into his senior season, the cross-over between bowling and golf, playing for Coach Dudley, and how his attitude helps him. He also introduces his girlfriend Madeline!

This show kicks off with junior cyclist Emily Hagedorn, a senior at Edwardsville High School, who recently won her age group at the Edwardsville Criterium. Hagedorn talks about how she got into the sport, and her love for riding bikes including "cycle cross." She also describes riding with cyclists of all ages and trap shooting--her other sport.

Next up, John Hough of the Gateway Sports Venue is back for a comprehensive preview of the upcoming high school football season in the metro east. Dave and Hough go over last year's highlights in every IHSA class size (1-8A), and Hough discusses his "teams to watch," "potential breakouts," and "bold predictions." Listen it to see if your favorite teams and players are mentioned!

In this Legends Edition of the podcast, Dave sits down with "the Jackie Robinson of Edwardsville," Herman Shaw.

The show begins with Shaw speaking about his busy schedule as the founder and director of the Lincoln School Alumni Foundation, which supports students in the Edwardsville School District, and he highlights the great work done by his foundation.

Then, he goes back and gives insight into growing up in extreme poverty and being amongst the first African American students to integrate the school in 1951. He talks about being the "first black student to earn a varsity letter at EHS," and what becoming a student there meant to him personally and as an athlete.

Next, Shaw talks about his brief but brilliant career as a three-sport athlete at IL State University before joining the army. After serving in the military as primarily an athlete, Herman describes working at "the Alton Mental Hospital" where he successfully initiates group therapy--something regarded as standard now, but that was considered "radical" then.

From there, Shaw catches the attention of a school board member in University City, who persuades him to join the district, where he eventually works doing incredible work with at risk kids for 32 years.

Clearly, Herman Shaw's 90 years have left an indelible mark on his community, and he ends with his wish to be remembered as a man who "loved his community."

This show features the stars of the recently completed Edwardsville Futures Men's Pro Circuit Tennis Tournament. The show begins with singles champion, Gavin Young, the top player at the University of Michigan, who is entering his last season with the Wolverines. Young talks about winning his first-every pro tournament, and how playing in the Big 10 has prepared him for success as a pro. The 6'5" all-court player, also discusses playing other sports "as a kid" and what it's like playing against Purdue, where his dad is the coach.

Next up, the doubles champions Felix Corwin and Nathan Ponwith join the show to talk about their recent success and why they keep coming back to Edwardsville. Felix and Nathan also dive into why they play doubles and the tougher aspects of life as a pro athlete. Finally, the duo reveal their newly-acquired love for St. Louis classic "gooey butter cake."

Lastly, University of Illinois Head Men's Tennis Coach Brad Dancer joins the show from a Reds vs. Cardinals MLB game to talk about the significance of the Pro Circuit for the development of collegiates, the hectic summer schedule of a d1 tennis coach, and that which makes the Edwardsville Futures unique.

Brian Mulhall is back to talk about the Edwardsville Rotary Criterium Festival, which will take place on Saturday August 17 in downtown Edwardsville, and which will include food and beverages, entertainment, and, of course, bike races for everyone. The event, which raises money for the Edwardsville Rotary, was begun in 2010, and is part of the Illinois Cup series. Mulhall talks about the work involved in organizing the event and what "keeps him up at night."

Next up, our MESPY winner for Girls Bowler of the Year, Brylee Proffitt of Triad High School, stops by the talk about her 8th place finish at state, the highest of any girl from the Metro East last year. Proffitt describes her start in the sport, what people don't "get about bowling," and her future as "hopefully" a collegiate bowler next year.

Finally, Dave discusses the recently completed Edwardsville Futures Men's Pro Circuit Tennis Tournament with media interns Zoe Byron and Mia Heiser, college students at Florida Golf Coast University and Grand Canyon University. The two share insight into their responsibilities throughout the event and a few of their best memories.

This episode begins with the MESPY winner for 3A Track Team of the Year, Coach Chad Lakatos and his son Clayton, who played a major role in the Tigers' state championship. Coach Lakatos shares insight on his program's dominance, which has included three state championships, and he discusses what made this year's success "special." Clayton talks about learning running technique from an early age, and how his time on the track helps his football career.

Next up, Alyssa Koerkenmeier is a force in two sports at Mater Dei. In this show, she is recognized as 2A Basketball Player of the Year, and the 6'6" center talks about what questions she gets asked the most, winning state in two sports, and her goals for the future, along with some insight into what people don't know about her.

In the third slot, we recognize the MESPY winners for 1A tennis team and singles player of the year. Highland coach Matt Pellock is in the studio with conference and Sectional champ Grant Fleming. Pellock discusses winning Highland's first conference championship in over 2 decades; Fleming talks about his style on the court and what he loves about tennis.

Wrapping up the show, we talk arm wrestling for the first time with Bill Onofrey, who is a local promoter and referee. Onofrey reveals what people "don't know about the sport," he explains what he loves about it, and he details the upcoming event on August 17 at Maryville Winery.